Charlie Kirk’s Memorial Crusade Demonstrates Capitol Ministries’ Top-Down Strategy
Charlie Kirk’s Memorial Crusade in Glendale, Arizona, provided a vivid illustration of Capitol Ministries’ long-standing top-down strategy: when leaders boldly proclaim Christ, their influence ripples throughout society.
“Seeing our nation’s political leaders preach the Gospel to a worldwide audience was a direct fulfillment of Capitol Ministries’ vision,” said Ralph Drollinger, Founder and President of Capitol Ministries.
This approach is outlined in Drollinger’s All in Authority1: God’s design for the nations is for those in authority to serve as ministers for good to those under their care.
Scripture affirms this calling in Paul’s commissioning: “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel” (Acts 9:15). In obedience to this mandate, “Paul traveled almost exclusively to capital cities—the cities of greatest influence! … On his three missionary journeys, Paul pinpointed, went to, and planted churches in cities where kings and all who are in authority lived” (p. 9).
The Glendale event was a living demonstration of this top-down strategy: leaders transformed by God’s Word, using their platforms to advance the Gospel to the nation.
One notable example was former Secretary of HUD Dr. Ben Carson, a past participant in Capitol Ministries’ White House Cabinet Bible Studies, who drew a profound connection between Charlie Kirk’s passing and the Gospel of John. “I want to read a passage from John 12:24,” Dr. Carson said in a measured tone, “remembering that Charlie was shot at 12:24 p.m.: Verily, verily, I say unto you (this is Christ speaking), Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit [KJV].
“And I want to thank Charlie for his sacrifice, because much fruit is going to be realized,” he concluded.
Again, from All in Authority, the book of Acts records that “of the thirteen individual conversions … at least seven are politically related. … The common thread among these converts is found in 1 Timothy 2:2, all who are in authority.” “Jesus intends for His body of believers to carry out this same missional strategy, priority, and principle today” (p. 10).
“Within the Great Commission exists the specific missional priority of reaching political leaders for Christ. And I would go so far as to say that fulfilling this priority is the key not only to fulfilling the Great Commission, but also to advancing a nation,” said Ralph Drollinger (p. 19).
Glendale’s five-hour, Gospel-centered crusade, led by public servants, stood as a powerful testimony to this principle: the impact of public servants preaching the Gospel to a worldwide audience is unmatched.
1. Ralph Drollinger, All in Authority (Santa Clarita, CA: Capitol Ministries, 2023)